Burner for fuel oil and the like



R. 1 'SOUTER ET AL BURNER FOR FUEL OIL AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l vvdn/ T I BURNER FOR FUEL OIL AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 7, 1936 2 03 72 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BURNER FOR FUEL OIL AND THE LIKE Richard Francis Souter, Armadale, and Robert Hugh Murray, West Brunswick, Victoria, Australia Application October 5, 1932, Serial No. 636,396 In Australia October 9, 1931 9 Claims. (Cl. 158 -53) This invention relates to improvements in and above theinclined member and thence into. the connectedwith burners for fuel oil and the like combustion chamber. and refers especially, but is not limited, to fuel oil Alternatively, steam from any convenient burners adapted for burning heavy fuel oils, such source may be delivered to the burner for the e'. g. as crude mineral oil, tar oils and like repurposes abovementioned. 5a siduals. Having set forth the objects and nature of the The object of the invention is to provide iminvention, reference will now be made to the acproved apparatus for burning oil fuel. companying drawings wherein:--

A fuel oil. burner in accordance with the in- Figure 1 is a view in vertical section ofa fuel 10 vention comprises a central member (preferably oil burner constructed and arranged in. accord,- 10- of conical shape) a shield open at its lower end ance with the invention.

and enclosing the central member so as to form Figure 2 is a view in planof the burner shown a vaporizing chamber having a substantially in Figure l; a part thereof being removed for annular orifice at its lower end, means for deconvenience of illustration.

lsilivering fuel to an upper portion of the vapor- Figure 3 is aview in vertical section of amodiizing chamber, means for delivering air to the fied form of burner; and

center of the annular stream of fuel discharged Figures 4, 5 an 6 e ion l views Showin from said orifice, and means disposed exteriorly further modifications which hereafter are fully of the shield for directing additional air inwards described.

to the combustion zone of the burner. Referring to t e drawings, the reference nu- 20 The fuel is preferably supplied to the upper meral ill designates a vertically disposed open end of the central member by means of a vertical ended tubular bo y member DrOVided e y supply pipe extending from therebelow and subwith a plu y o Slotted lugs H y means of jected to the heat of the combustion zone and, in which it is secured in position'below the bottom one form of the invention, the supply pipe is pro- IZ of a combustion chamber or furnace. 25'

vided below the inclined member with laterally cur t t lower d of the y member disposed passages by means of which some of I5 is. a three armed Spider l3 W c pp t a the fuel is discharged without passing above centrally d spos d v t al u l p p which s said inclined member. secured thereon by means of a clamping nut I5.

The inventon also comprehends the provision A fuel supp y p p l5 passing from a ev ed 30 of means for regulating the supply of air to th or other suitably positioned fuel tank (not shown) inner. and/or outer air passages, means for is connected by a union nut to the lower end of minimizing loss of heat from the hot plate, and Sa Ve a u p deflector means for controlling the shape of the The internal p p y of t y ber D 3 flame of the burner. is provided with a plurality of integral longi- 35,

A further important feature of the invention tudinally disposed gu e ri s H whi h p j resides in the provision of means for preheating radially 0f the frame member when V ew d n the. fuel oil and means for supplying steam to an p n, as l ly shown n ur 2 f he drawin s; upper portion of the inclined member whereby it These guide ribs extend from the t o to will assist in the discharge of oil vapor and in some distance from the top of the frame meme preventing any combustion of fuel above the surbar and Serve a support for an P a face of Said conical member. flector ring 18 the undersuriace of whlch is con- The surfaces of the downwardl inclined memcave cross section her are preferably provided g a plurality of This annular deflector ring 18 is provided. at its grooves extenqing' from adjicent the upper ends hole formed by an annular flange l8 which serves thereof to their lower ends in order to direct the to properly direct the flame of the burner flow of fuel F Certain of the ribs n are provided with in- The fuel oil may be preheated by means of hot wardly projecting lugs m which serve support Water passing through a tube disposed Within a shallow annular container forming a hot plate 50 pipe for conveying the oil to the inclined. member and comprising a tt portion 2 a circular and thi w r p p may extend above Said mouter flange 2| and a circular inner flange 22. ber to a heated chamber in which the water is The underside of the bottom portion of the evaporated, the steam then passing from this flanged hotplate is provided with a layer 230$ 65 chamber through suitable ports into the space heat insulating material, such as asbestos, and

inner periphery with a substantially parallel axial 451a a vertical overflow pipe 24 extends through said hot plate and has its open upper end disposed somewhat thereabove.

A deflector member 25 having its undersurface of concave shape in cross section is adjustably mounted on the vertical fuel pipe 14 above the top of the circular inner flange 22 of the hot plate and a conical head 26 screwed to the upper end of the fuel pipe has its lower end bearing on the top of said deflector member.

The conical headpiece 26 is provided near its upper end with an integral conical protuberance 2i, and an integral axially disposed stem 28 projects from the upper end thereof. The lower end of the conical headpiece 26 has an integral depending skirt portion 29 of cylindrical formation which is somewhat larger in diameter than the circular inner flange 22 of the hot plate.

A relatively small hole 30 disposed axially in the conical head 26 communicates with the screwthreaded hole therein which receives the upper end of the vertical fuel pipe 14 and a plurality of small inclined holes 3| are drilled underneath the shoulder formed by the conical protuberance 21 to meet the said axial hole 30.

The lower ends of these small inclined holes 3| communicate with corresponding grooves 3'2 formed on the outer surface of the conical headpiece 26 and of the skirt 29 formed integrally therewith.

The stem 28 on the upper end of the headpiece 26 supports a cylindrical shield 33 which is closed at its upper end and which has its lower and open end extending adjacent to the hot plate 20 of the burner.

In use a suitable pilot burner or other igniting means is caused to heat the conical headpiece 2E5 and/or the hot plate 20 whereby the fuel gravitating over the headpiece or passing on to the hot plate 20 is vaporized.

The fuel may be fed to the fuel pipe I4 by gravity or pressure from a suitably arranged tank (not shown) and a valve (not shown) is provided for accurately regulating the supply of fuel.

The combustion chamber is fitted with a flue for the discharge of the burnt gases and preferably the only means for the entrance of air to the combustion chamber is through the tubular body In of the burner.

It will thus be seen that part of the air supply passes through the annular passage formed by the fuel supply pipe [4 and the circular inner flange 22 of the hot plate and is deflected by means of the deflector member 25 on to the inside of the annular stream of vaporized fuel passing from the orifice formed by the skirt of the conical headpiece 26 and the adjacent inner surface of the shield member 33.

Combustion takes place underneath the lower end of the shield 33 (i. e. where the central air supply intermingles with the fuel) and the flames pass outwardly under the lower edge of said shield and meet the inwardly directed air supply.

This last mentioned air supply passes upwardly between the inner periphery of the tubular frame member l8 and the circular outer flange 2! of the hot plate, and is deflected downwards by means of the deflector ring I8.

The paths of flow of air and vapor are approximately indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The outer air supply is prevented from swirling by means of the above mentioned guide ribs l! formed on the inner periphery of the tubular frame member ID, thus serving to produce a steady and even flame.

It will thus be understood that an annular flame extends through the space located between the shield 33 and the flange l8 at the inner periphery of the deflector ring I8.

It is believed that, when the burner becomes heated up, a substantial proportion of the fuel vaporizes in the vertical suppy pipe l4-i. e. before issuing above the conical head 26; also that the vaporization of the lighter fractions of the fuel in this position assists in the discharge of those heavier fractions which may remain unvaporized when passing through the holes 3| in the conical headpiece.

When, however, the burner is being started, and when, for any reason, a sudden increase in the rate of supply of the fuel takes place, it appears that the fuel issues as a liquid through the holes 3| and flows downwards over the headpiece in the form of a thin film which is readily vaporized by the heat of the igniter or of the flame of the burner, as the case may be.

Under these conditions, the conical headpiece serves to evenly distribute the liquid fuel, thus ensuring the production of a uniform flame.

It will be clear that the shield 33 prevents the access of air to the space above the conical member 26 and prevents combustion taking place therein.

The hot plate 20 normally serves to vaporize any fuel which is still liquid on coming into contact therewith, but, in the event of liquid fuel accumulating on the plate, any undue excess thereof is discharged by means of the overflow pipe 24.

In the alternative form of the invention illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the flanged hot plate 28 is supported on the upper end of a vertical tubular column 36 which is formed integrally with a plate or flange 3'1 adjustably connected to the lower end of the tubular frame member If] by means of stud bolts 38.

In this construction, the main air supply enters the burner through the circumferential opening formed between the lower end of the tubular frame member Ill and the bottom plate 31 whilst the central air supply passes through the hollow column 36 and may be controlled by means of a suitable valve (not shown).

The ingress of air to the outer portion of the burner is regulated by adjusting the position of the plate 31 in relation to the lower end of the tubular frame member ID.

The conical head 26l is provided with a depending boss 262 the lower end of which is screwed on to the upper end of the fuel pipe [4 and the underside of the head is of curved formation 25I in order to deflect the central air supply on to the hot plate 20 and on to the inner surface of the annular stream of fuel passing from the lower end of the conical head.

The air impinging on the undersurface of the conical head 26l also serves to prevent the latter from becoming overheated.

A plurality of small laterally disposed discharge pipes 52 are fitted to a lower portion of the boss 262 whereby their outer ends project above the circular inner flange 22 of the hot plate. These discharge pipes 52 communicate at their inner ends with the axial passage in the boss 26l, and preferably the upper end of the fuel supply pipe 14 extends somewhat above the lower ends of the lateral holes in the said boss, as shown in Figure 3.

By'means of this construction, a substantially uniform flow of fuel is maintained through each of the pipes 52, even if the axes thereof are not exactly in the same horizontal plane.

A shield 33l of cylindrical formation having its-open lower end enclosing the head 26f is supported on said headpiece by means of adjustable screws 39 and said shield is provided above the headpiece 261 with an integral conical partition 40. This partition is provided near its center with holes 4| which preferably incline in the same direction as the adjacent portions of the conical surface of the headpiece.

A second partition 42 preferably constructed of copper is arranged transversely within the shield 33! above the partition 40 and below a top cover p1ate'43,'thu's forming an upper compartment 44 and a lower compartment 45 within said shield. The partition 42 is provided near its periphery with a regularly spaced series of holes 46.

A water pipe 41 passing centrally through the fuel pipe I4 has its open upper end projecting through the partition 42 into the upper compartment 44 of the shield 33l whilst a lower portion thereof is sealed in the lower'end of the fuel pipe M.

In starting up the burner, the supply of fuel is turned on and the fuel issues slowly from the lateral branches 52 of the vertical supply pipe [4. This fuel is ignited by any suitable means. The rate of flow is then increased as desired and it appears that, when the burner becomes heated up, the lighter fractions of the fuel are vaporized in the supply pipe l4 and issue above the conical head 261, while some of the liquid fuel (probably the heavier fractions) passes through the lateral discharge pipes 52 and is vaporized and burnt as it issues therefrom.

It is found that these lateral discharge pipes 52-minimize the formation of deposits on the conical head 26L After the burner has been started in the manner described, water is delivered. to the central water pipe 41 from which it passes on to the top of partition 42 where it is evaporated. The steam then passes from the upper compartment 44 through the openings 46 to the lower compartment 45 and thence through the holes 4| into the'space above conical head 26l and these jets of steam assist in discharging and vaporizing the fuel, and in keeping the said headpiece free of carbon deposits.

The steam delivered above the conical head 26! also serves to blanket the vaporized fuel and to assist in preventing the contact of air therewith, and it is found that the conical surfaces are quite clean and serviceable even after running on crude oil for lengthy periods.

The water delivered to the central pipe 41 may be preheated whereby the temperature of the liquid fuel in the pipe M will be raised prior to being subjected to the heat of the combustion zone of the burner.

Alternatively, steam from any convenient source may be delivered to the lower end of the central pipe for the purpose abovementioned though, in this case, the upper compartment 44 of the shield 33! may be dispensed with.

It will be clear that steam may be supplied to the construction of burner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings for the purpose abovementioned, and/ or that lateral discharge pipes 52 may be incorporated therein.

In lieu of employing natural draught, as described above, air may be delivered under pressure to the burner, and, in one construction, this may be effected by delivering all the air to the central column 36 of the burner (Fig. 3) and allowing the major portion thereof to pass through lateral holes 36' shown in broken lines) in the column into the chamber disposed below the hot plate 20 and above the bottom plate 31 and from which chamber the main supply of air passes upwardly between the guide projections I! on the tubular frame member 10 in the manner previously described.

When this constructionis adopted, the bottom plate 37 carrying the tubular extension is screwed up to form an airtight seal against the lower end of the tubular member I0.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, an auxiliary hot plate 48 may be arranged a slight distance above the hot plate 20 previously described, and an annular space is provided around the periphery of the plate 48 for the escape of vapors which are liberated by oil fuel gravitating to the lower plate. This auxiliary hot plate 48 may be constructed of metal but is preferably formed of a suitable refractory material such as fire clay.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, a cylindrical headpiece 53 is fitted to the upper end of the fuel pipe [4 in lieu of a conical head, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In the further form of the invention shown in i Figure 6, the outer supply of air may be delivered by means of a pipe 49, to a conical passage 50 disposed above a shield member 5| surrounding the conical headpiece 263.

When this construction is adopted, it will be clear that the vaporized fuel issuing from the headpiece 263 is disposed between inner and outor layers of air moving in substantially the same direction as said fuel. I

Also, the oil fuel may be delivered to the apex of the cone by means of a supply pipe disposed thereabove instead of therebelow as previously described and illustrated.

In a still further modification of the invention (not illustrated) the fuel is delivered to the center of a chamber formed by two parallel and coaXially disposed circular plates arranged horizontally, one being disposed a short distance above the other.

The edges of these plates consequently form a circumferential orifice through which the fuel is discharged and air is supplied to both sides of the fuel stream by suitably arranged air passages.

It will be clear that, where the words cone Y shaped member are used herein, they are intended to embrace a member of pyramidal or like shape.

We claim:

1. A burner for fuel oil having a central member, a shield open at its lower end and enclosing" the central member, said shield being spaced from the central member to form a vaporizing chamber having a substantially annular discharge orifice at its lower end, means for delivering fuel to an upper portion of the vaporizing chamber, means for delivering air to the center of the annular stream of fuel discharged from said orifice whereby said air passes outwards in intermixture with said fuel, and means for directing additional air radially inwards to combine with said outwardly moving mixture of air and fuel.

2. A burner for fuel oil comprising a vertically disposed cone shaped member, a shield open at its lower end and enclosing the cone shaped member, said shield and cone shaped member forming therebetween an annular passage, means for delivering fuel to the upper end of the annular passage, means for directing air to the inside of the annular fuel stream discharged from the lower end of the annular passage, said air and fuel passing outwards below the shield, and means for directing air inwardly in opposition to the outwardly flowing mixture'of air and fuel.

3. In a burner for fuel oil according to claim 2, a vertical fuel supply pipe having the cone shaped member mounted on its upper end and means for by-passing liquid fuel direct from the fuel supply pipe to the space below the cone shaped member,

4. A burner for fuel oil comprising a vertically disposed cone shaped member, a shield having an open lower end enclosing the cone shaped member to form a vaporizing chamber therebetween, means for supplying fuel to the upper end of the cone shaped member whereby it may gravitate down the outer surface thereof, an annular hot plate disposed horizontally below the cone shaped member and shield, the central opening of said annular hot plate forming a passage for supplying air to the interior of the annular stream of fuel discharged from the cone shaped member, said shield and hot plate forming therebetween a pasage through which said air and fuel pass outwards in interinixture, and means surrounding said shield for directing air radially inwards in opposition to said outwardly flowing mixture of air and fuel.

5. A burner for fuel oil comprising a vertically disposed conical headpiece having a passage therein for the supply of fuel to the upper end thereof, a shield surrounding the conical headpiece and spaced therefrom, said shield being open at its lower end, a hot plate disposed horizontally below the conical headpiece and shield and having a passage therein for delivering air into the lower end of the shield, an annular member surrounding the lower end of the shield and providing an annular space therebetween, and means for directing additional air radially inwards from said annular member towards the outer face or" the said shield.

6. A fuel oil burner comprising a vertically disposed tubular body member open at its upper end, a vertical fuel supply pipe extending centrally through the tubular body member, a conical head fitted to the upper end of the fuel pipe and provided interiorly with a passage for directing fuel from the supply pipe to the upper surface of said conical head, a cylindrical shield open at its lower end and enclosing the conical head, a hot plate arranged horizontally within the body member and below the head and shield, said hot plate having therein an axial air passage of smaller diameter than the shield, and said hot plate and tubular body member forming therebetween an annular air passage, and guide means for directing inwardly the air passing through said annular air passage.

'7. In a fuel oil burner according to claim 5, a vertical fuel supply pipe having its upper end communicating with the passage in the headpiece and means providing a plurality of laterally disposed fuel discharge passages having their inner ends communicating with the fuel supply pipe and having their outer ends disposed below said conical headpiece and adjacent to the combustion zone of the burner.

8. In a fuel oil burner according to claim 2, a water vaporizing chamber in the upper end of the shield above the cone shaped member, and means for delivering water to said chamber, said chamber communicating by passages with said annular passage whereby steam generated in said chamber is discharged into the annular passage.

9. A fuel oil burner having a vertically arranged tubular body member, a vertical fuel supply pipe extending centraly through the tubular body member, a headpiece on the upper end of the fuel supply pipe and having passages therein for directing fuel from the fuel supply pipe to the outer surface of an upper portion of said headpiece, a cylindrical shield open at its lower end and enclosing the headpiece to form a vaporizing chamber therebetween, the lower end of said shield extending below the headpiece, an annular hot plate disposed horizontally below the shield and within the tubular body member, upwardly directed concentric flanges at the inner and outer peripheral edges of the annular hot plate, said inner flange extending within the lower end of the shield and forming a central air supply passage and said outer flange being spaced from the tubular body member to form an annular air passage, and an annular deflector member arranged above the annular air passage and having its inner periphery spaced from the shield to form an annular orifice therebetween, said deflector member being arranged to direct inwardly the air passing from said annular air passage.

RICHARD FRANCIS SOUTER. ROBERT HUGH MURRAY. 

